The Beadwork Institute connects students’ creativity with their cultures

Keeping students connected to their tribal and cultural traditions is a priority at St. Labre. Our mission has always been to be more than a school. We emphasize and integrate Northern Cheyenne and Crow history, traditions and values into our curriculum to foster pride and a sense of identity within our students. Beginning with preschool and kindergarten through high school, we provide a tuition-free education to hundreds of Native American children on our three Southeastern Montana campuses.

The Beadwork Institute at St. Labre teaches students how to create meaningful art from raw materials — elk rawhide, soft hides, and other natural materials — that reflect specific tribal styles and cultural guidelines deeply connected to their way of life.

For nearly two decades, St. Labre students have been visiting the Plains Indian Museum located in Cody Wyoming twice a year for an intensive, two-day course where they work with Center staff on a variety of topics related to museum curation and cultural preservation.

St. Labre’s young artists also celebrated their creative excellence by earning recognition at the prestigious Heard Museum Guild Student Art Show & Sale in Phoenix, AZ.

This highly anticipated national event allows young artists to present their work, compete against peers, and showcase their talent in the “world’s preeminent museum for Indian art,” as well as sell their work.

We invite you to meet some of our students and explore their beadwork below.

Find out more about St. Labre and the positive impact we're making on the areas and communities we serve.